Ways Home Inspections Benefit Home Buyers

Getting a home inspection is one purchase that greatly benefits home buyers. It’s a smart decision to know the condition of the home prior to the option period ending. This wards off unexpected surprises later on, plus allows your agent to negotiate the best price based on the home’s condition.

Getting a Home Inspection

Let’s dig into some of the benefits of having a home inspection.

Peace of Mind.

Buyers who move forward with getting a home inspection can take comfort in knowing ahead of time if there’s a looming repair in the near future or if they can move in with confidence that the home is sound and has been well-maintained. A buyer can additionally take comfort in knowing the home’s safety has been checked. An inspection report will provide extra details and information based upon what the trained inspector sees throughout the inspection process. Getting an inspection can reveal potential issues not seen or known during a home showing, and can give buyers extra peace of mind.

Identify Any Repairs or Problems

The home inspector will look for and document any found problems and/or areas needing repair, as well as items that are no longer up to building code. This information can help the home buyer determine if they want to move forward with the home or if there are too many potential repairs, walk away from the property. This type of information also gives the Realtor the ability to negotiate repairs and save the buyer money.

What a Home Inspector Reviews

You may be curious about which areas of a home a home inspector evaluates. Key areas include:

• The roof
• Both the exterior and interior surfaces
• Looks for leaks and signs of water damage
• Plumbing issues
• Electrical issues
• Structural issues
• Signs of pests
• Signs of mold

Don’t Overlook Getting a Home Inspection on a New Build

When we think of something as new, we anticipate it’s free of any problems or need for repairs. The reality is that simply because the home is new, we can’t assume it’s perfect. Mistakes can and do happen. Here’s are some common problems home inspections look for when evaluating a new build:

• Any structural defects. These imperfections can include faulty grading where water drains towards the building instead of away, poor framing that may actually lead to a future weakness, or foundation cracks which can also weaken critical areas of the home.
• Drainage, leakage, or grading problems. Issues that allow for water damage can be a sign of larger problems later on.
• Electrical issues. The inspector will look for missing switch plates, grounding issues, and signs of anything that may be poorly wired.
• Plumbing issues. These problems can include obvious leaks, dampness, improper piping, reversed hot/cold faucet hookups, or poor water pressure.
• Incomplete construction. The inspection will check for missing/low insulation, fixtures, railings, and other essential pieces of the build.  

The facts are that local building codes change over time in order to make homes safe. For an existing home, the building codes adapt to modern updates and modified safety standards as new safety protocols are established. For new builds, the inspection acts as your eyes to ensure everything is place and functioning as it’s intended.

Have questions? Reach out any time to get the answers you need and work with an experienced real estate agent. Remember, it’s a good plan to invite your realtor to accompany you at the home inspection. Read my blog Why Inviting Your Agent to a Home Inspection is a Good Plan for more details.  

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.